Former gun club treasurer charged with embezzling funds

A 52-year-old Groton woman is accused of embezzling $32,345 from the Quaker Hill Rod & Gun Club while serving as the club’s treasurer.

Roxanne Henderson of 36 Sunnyside Park pleaded not guilty to first-degree larceny Tuesday when she made her first appearance in the New London court where major crimes are heard. She is being represented by attorney Michael E. Jewell.

According to an arrest warrant affidavit prepared by state police Detective John Jette, Henderson served as treasurer of the nonprofit gun club for three or four years before resigning in October 2012. The treasurer position was unpaid, but Henderson received about $75 a month for cleaning the club, which is located on Oxoboxo Dam Road in Montville.

John Holmes, president of the club, notified state police in February that club officers had hired a forensic auditor after noticing a shortfall in the club's accounts. The club takes in about $100,000 a year, including $60,000 to $65,000 in membership dues and about $25,000 from the sale of clay birds for skeet shooting.

The audit revealed that Henderson had written checks to herself between February and September 2012 totaling $32,345. During a recorded phone interview in March, Henderson told Jette that she had turned over all of the club's financial records and didn't remember details of the expenditures, according to the affidavit. Henderson hung up on Jette after he suggested she may have borrowed the funds.

Henderson is free on a written promise to appear in court and is due back on Dec. 12. Supervisory Assistant State's Attorney Lawrence J. Tytla is prosecuting the case.

— Karen Florin

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